Elokobi Cannot Wait To Get Started

Latics' new recruit George Elokobi admitted the manager's ambition was a huge factor in him joining the club and cannot wait to get started with his new side.

Elokobi was released by Wolverhampton Wanderers at the end of last season, ending his seven year association with the club.

Since then, the Cameroon international has been searching for a new side and manager Lee Johnson invited him to train with his Oldham Athletic side.

The defender appeared for Latics as a second half substitution in the 3-1 pre-season friendly victory over Huddersfield Town and played the full 90 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Blackburn.

After impressing, Elokobi signed a one-year contract with the club and admitted the manager played a huge role in securing his signature.

He said: "I had one or two calls up until I signed to make a decision but I trained with the lads and had a good chat with the gaffer who told me where he sees the club going forward.

"I played against Oldham last season and they played well so as a club, I thought it was a good club to join and be a part of things here.

"My job is to play football and play to the best of my ability. I'm sure everyone can see I wear my heart on my sleeve and I leave everything on the pitch.

"I just want to do the best for myself and then the team willl benefit from that. We've got a good bunch of players in the dressing room and we've got a great leader in Liam Kelly.

"We've got a great chance in this division and the manager and his coaching staff are really helping us going forward."

The 28-year-old replaced James Dayton in the 80th minute during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Colchester United and he's hoping that his cameo can earn him a starting spot going into the game against Middlesbrough tonight.

"If the call comes, I'm ready to play. I want to keep my head down, continue to do what I do and hopefully I can get into the managers plans," added Elokobi.

"If we can't win this one, then there is no point in us being here today. Middlesbrough are a very good side and it's a cup game. We are going to go out there and give it our best shot as a team and hopefully we will be in the hat for the next round."